Men Jewellery

No, this is not a Jersey-style gold chain or oversize bracelets à la Orange County. Today’s well-bejeweled gents are able to mix pricier pieces like a watch with a woven leather bracelet (or two) and wear necklaces with a distinct vintage vibe. Unless you're currently serving in the military, dog tags need not apply. 



   

Metal bracelets have long held a place within men’s style, with screen idols such as Marlon Brando and James Dean (see lookbook below) wearing them in commemoration following the Second World War. Their popularity is also on the rise today, with celebrities such as Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum and Liam Hemsworth spotted wearing them recently.

ID bracelets retain a sense of masculinity and convey a notion of tasteful rebellion with their sleek appearance. As they tend to be quite distinctive and chunky, metal bracelets are best worn as standalone, solo pieces. For this reason, it is also a good idea to wear it on your free, non-watch hand, rather than weighing down the same wrist with both your watch and metal bracelet.

There is the argument that metal bracelets can slip into women’s ‘bangle’ territory, but conversely, Esquire magazine recently included a stylish metal cuff in a feature entitled ‘The 10 Best Things To Wear On Your Wrist’, demonstrating that a slimline metal cuff is a versatile piece a man can successfully pull off without appearing feminine.

As with everything, it’s important to wear with confidence and – especially with metal bracelets – work under the concept that less is more. No one wants to give off the appearance of a manacled prisoner.

Men are already accustomed to wearing leather on their wrists in the form of watch straps, so a leather bracelet is perhaps not such a big leap and may be slightly more appealing, especially for those taking their first tentative steps into the world of jewellery.

The positive aspect of a leather bracelet is that it retains a sense of masculinity. Leather as a material is also refined and versatile, so – depending on the style and size of the bracelet – it can retain a sense of formality whilst at the same time appearing roguish and rebellious.

For example, a black or dark brown leather bracelet can be integrated into a smart, tailored look without jarring and, similarly, a wide leather cuff could be worn with a t-shirt and slim-fit jeans for a more edgy, rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic.

Conversely to metal bracelets, leather versions can complement and contrast nicely against timepieces (whether leather, fabric or steel bands), which means you are also given the freedom to choose which wrist you wear them on.